Ash tray



March 21, 1933. s. o. CAMPBELL ASH TRAY Filed Aug. 29, 1931 I G 0. CAMPBELL BY Z ATTOfiNEK Patented Mar. 21, 1933 GUY OUSELEY CAMPBELL, OF WEST GRINSTEAD, HORS HAM, ENGLAND ASH TRAY Application .flled August 29, 1831, Serial No. 580,185, and in Great Britain September 10, 1930.

This invention relates to ash trays of the kind provided with means adapted to support cigarettes or the like horizontally or approximately horizontally above the ash tray proper, in such a manner that condensatlon of moisture through contact with the material of the ash tray is avoided.

According to this invention, there is provided' in an ash tray of the kind above referred to, an upright structureor structures adapted to be supported thereby so as to be positioned within the ash tray, and to support a cigarette or more than one cigarette or the like so that contact thereof with the structure 5 or structures takes place at side portions only of the said structure or structures, the under side-of the cigarette or each cigarette being free "from contact with the said structure or structures.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into eifect the same will now be described more fully, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a perspective view of an ash tray embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 but showing a modification, I

Figure 3 is also a perspective view show- 30 ing another modification, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a further modification.

Like reference characters denote similar parts in all the figures ofthe drawing.

Referring first more particularly to Figure 1 of the drawing, the tray, which may be made of any appropriate material, such as china, glass, metal or the like or of any suitable combination of materials, and which may be of any appropriate shape, comprises, in the example shown, a tray proper 1 of rectangular formation and made of sheet metal, the tray having formed integral therewith, or secured thereto, preferably centrally thereof, an upright structure 2 of sheet metal. The said. structure is shown secured to a boss 3 which in turn is secured to the tray 1. If desired, however, the structure may be secured to the tray by means of a rubber suction or like device. The structure 2 is provided at the upper end or edge thereof with a notch 4 or the like of V-formation, or approximately V-formation, whereby a cigarette 5 or the like may be supported therein and arranged to lie horizontally, or approximately horizontally, with the lower edge of the cigarette or the like spaced upwardly from the bottom of the V-shaped notch and With opposite side portions of the cigarette in peripheral contact with the side surfaces of the notch, the cigarette or the like having been located within the notch by a slight pressure being applied thereto. The said surfaces may be made convex, if desired and may also be corrugated, serrated, roughened or similarly formed to facilitate the gripping of the cigarette.

The modified construction shown in Fig ure 2 is substantially the same as that above described with reference to Figure 1, except that two upright structures 2 spaced laterally apart centrally of the tray 1 are provided thus affording an increased support for the cigarette or the like. In this case, it is preferable also to apply a slight pressure to the cigarette or the like when applying the same to the structure.

A device constructed as above described with reference to either Figure 1 or 2 would permit a cigarette or the like to be apprcm priately supported and more conveniently inserted and withdrawn than heretofore, since the cigarette 1s presented to the fingers at a more convenient height, and the cigarette would remain dry to'the end, as, owing to 5 the minimum contact thereof, withthe sides only of the support, moisture due to condensation is reduced to the minimum, whilst .the central location of the supporting means would permit the cigarette, if left to burn out,

.. to fall into the tray and thereby avoid any risk of burning, for instance, anyfurniture on which the tray may be resting, whilst contamina'tion of the cigarette with ash or other foreign matter which may be lodged in the traiy is avoided.

11 another modification, shown in Figure 3, the device comprises a tray 1 proper of sheet metal or other material having preferably located centrally, or approximately centrally thereof, a plurality of elongated upright structures 2 of sheet metal or other material, preferably two, spaced laterally from one another and adapted to be associated or connected with the base in any convenient manner, for example, by means of lugs or flanges 6 secured to the tray by screws 7 or the like, preferably in such a manner as to be detac able for cleaning or other urposes. The structures 2 areconveniently ormed so that for the major part of the length thereof the lower edges 8 are spaced upwardly from the tray 1 to facilitate cleaning. The said structures are rovided at the upper edges thereof prefera 1y each with a urality of V-shaped notches 4 or the e wherein cigarettes or the like can enter and be supported horizontally or approximately horizontally, relatively to the said structures, without the necessity of applying pressure to the cigarettes or the like, t e arrangement beingsuch as to provide for the minimum of contact of the cigarette or the like with the sides only of the notches in the structures.

The construction shown in Fi re 4 is substantially the same as that ustrated in Figure 3, except that the structures are fitted or connected at the ends thereof to guides 9 secured to the tray 1.

In afurther modification, not shown, the structures illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 may be substituted by open wire frames adapted to support cigarettes or the like in a manner similar to that above described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. v

The tray is made large enough in each case :3: receive the full length of a cigarette or the e. What I claim is A combined cigarette holder and tray, in-

\ eluding a tray proper, having upwardly extended edges, a oss centrally dis osed on the bottom of the tray a vertically 'sposed flat element supported by and projecting upwardly from the boss, said element extending up beyond the horizontal plane of the upper edge of the tray, said flat element having a V-shaped notch open through the upper end, the maximum width of the notch materially exceeding the diameter of the cigarette, the minimum width of the notch being materially less than the diameter of the cigarette, whereby when the cigarette is arran ed in the notch the side walls thereof grip the cigarette at substantially opposing points at the sides of the cigarette, leaving the top and bottom portions of the cigarette wholly free of contact.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

GUY OUSELEY CAMPBELL. 

